Water and Fire Restoration Atlanta

Atlanta Water Damage Restoration Company Teaches "The Basics" of Water Damage Restoration

noreply@blogger.com (Rickey) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:04:00 +0000

Water damage describes a large number of possible losses caused by water intruding where it will enable attack of a material or system by destructive processes such as rotting of wood, growth, rusting of steel, de-laminating of materials such as plywood, and many, many others.

The damage may be imperceptibly slow and minor such as water spots that could eventually mar a surface, or it may be instantaneous and catastrophic such as flooding. However fast it occurs, water damage is a very major contributor to loss of property.

Water damage is typically classified into one of the following three categories:

Category 1- Clean Water (no contaminants)
Category 2- Grey Water (shower & sink drain water)
Category 3-Black Water (sewage & mold)

Different removal methods and measures are used depending on the category of water. As a general rule, a professional water restoration company should be called in if there is noticable damage(Restoration Specialists provides free estimates & inspections). These companies will use Thermal Imaging Cameras (Infrared) to look inside the walls and determine exactly the extent of the damage. Often water lurks behind baseboards, sheetrock, and studs and usually missed by homeowners. This often results in bacterial and mold issues.

Category 1 water can be removed using the combination of four basic principles.

1. Extraction: Extract as much standing water possible. Carpet padding should be removed if a professional company is not employing a top-down-drying method. If the water has sat more than 72 hours before drying has begun, the carpet should be removed as well.

2. Antimicrobial application: The application of antimicrobial disinfectants is recommended on all water losses.

3. High pressure air flow. The use of commercial drying units that exceed 2000cfm are recommended to force the moisture into the air. They should be setup every 8-12 linear feet around the perimeter
of the room.

4. Dehumidifiers. Commercial dehumidifiers that extract at least 200 pints per day should be setup
every 300 square feet. or 2400 cubic foot (if the ceiling is larger than 8’).

An average water loss will take 3-5 days to dry based on the % of water extracted and drying conditions.

Note: Failure to use all four principles listed above will likely result in the formation of mold. Furthermore one of the main issues that leads to the water damage situations above is a roof leak! If you suspect a roof leak, call our certified Atlanta Roofer and water damage restoration teams today!

One Simple Mold Test Could Mean Saving Your Life

noreply@blogger.com (Rickey) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:42:00 +0000

The growth of mold and mildew in a structure is a problem for buildings of all kinds, (especially homes in the Atlanta area following our massive flooding) despite how old they are or the environment in which they’re situated. It would be a mistake to assume that only older buildings can suffer from heavy mold growth, or that structures in dry, arid climates are safe. In fact, mold can be found in both residential and commercial buildings anywhere in the world, but most especially where there has been a record amount of rain, which makes mold remediation a immediate problem in the Atlanta Area. To think just two years ago we suffered from massive drought like conditions that was having us contemplate invading Tennessee to steal their water. There are many different factors that can contribute to the proliferation of mold, including catastrophic events like floods, environmental contributors like heavy rainfall or humidity, interior plumbing problems, faulty construction or maintenance (e.g. a leaky roof), and so forth. Another mistake that many people make when it comes to mold is in assuming that they would notice if the problem were present. Sometimes mold growth is extremely obvious: It can be visible to the naked eye, or a musty odor might permeate the building. However, in many cases mold may be termed a “silent killer.” You may not even realize you have a mold problem until physical symptoms like allergic reactions, skin irritation, infection or more serious respiratory complications begin to manifest themselves. For this reason, your best course of action is to schedule a regular mold inspection for your home, office or other property.

Molds come in many different forms and colors, and some have a much greater potential for harm than others. The problem is, it can be difficult – if not impossible – to tell the harmless mold from the lethal mold if you lack the experience and training necessary to differentiate them. Some molds may do little more than look unsightly or smell unpleasant. However, left unchecked, all molds pose a potential structural hazard for the building over time. Molds reproduce via spores, which travel through the air and can attach and proliferate on any surface. This means that a small, relatively contained mold problem in the basement could quickly spread throughout the home and begin to compromise the health of the building. A total house renovation due to mold damage can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and take months or even years to complete. A much more cost-effective solution is to catch the problem before it begins with a careful mold inspection. Removing a little bit of mold is a simple process; contending with a houseful of it is not!

In addition to the negative effects on the building itself, there are types of mold that can be hazardous to your health. The most lethal type of mold is referred to as “black mold.” Black mold, of the genius Stachybotrys, is a slimy, green-black growth that feeds off of cellulose and releases poisonous organic compounds called mycotoxins into the air as it digests the material. These mycotoxins, when inhaled or ingested by people and animals, can cause headaches, vision problems, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory complications and even death. Children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer or AIDS patients are particularly susceptible to the dangers of black mold.
If there is any chance that your home has recently been exposed to excessive moisture or if you haven’t had a mold removal specialist check the structure for mold recently, you would do well to schedule a mold inspection with an experienced company like ACS Residential. Mold inspection can do more than simply spare your home from mold – it could actually save your life.

The rain just keeps on coming...

noreply@blogger.com (Rickey) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:14:00 +0000

I know what you are thinking. Just two years ago we were on pins and needles wondering if it would ever rain again and at one point I thought we may invade Tennessee to steal a peice of their land that had a good supply of water on it. Here we are a mere two years later with more water than we know what to do with and we are almost ready for it to quit raining period. Homes in Atlanta are being constantly flooded and are in need of some major restoration. Advanced Construction Services is here to help rebuild homes in Atlanta that suffer from fire damage, roof damage and water damage. With over 15 years serving metro Atlanta, ACS has the know how and ability to peice together your house and get you back in your comfort zone, within the confines of your dry home. Call us today if you are in need of mold inspection, restoration or a new roof. We are your one stop shop. www.waterfirerestoration.com and www.atlantaroofersinc.com

Leaks in Your Atlanta Roof Can Lead to More than Just Water Damage

noreply@blogger.com (Rickey) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:39:00 +0000

Leaks in Your Atlanta Roof Can Lead to More than Just Water Damage

The September Flood's in Atlanta-Water Restoration Do's and Dont's

noreply@blogger.com (Rickey) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:29:00 +0000

In case you live in a place that is situated in a low area or is close to the ocean, or in our case, Atlanta, chances are when a powerful storm comes your way you will surely be one of the unlucky people who will be affected by water damage to your home. Most likely, your belongings will be drowned in water and ruined from all that precipitation and flooding. First, you should organize your possessions and start clearing any small debris.1. People whose houses are going through water or fire damage restoration need to be able to fully assess the value as well as the importance of each and every item on the house. Needless to say, when it comes to water damage restoration, where the majority (or practically all) of your belongings have been destroyed, you will have to make the difficult task of trying to figure out that items you would want to discard or keep. I know it is a hard and stressful time to deal with cleaning up all of your loved belongings but it is important to get rid of the things that are ruined. It is not worth hanging on things if it will have no use anymore. 2. Foods And Perishables, Foods that have already been soiled because of all that water should not be eaten anymore and must be properly disposed of. Broken tableware as well as mugs, glasses as well as other kitchen tools should also be discarded if they’re not fit to be used anymore. When it comes to water damage restoration, you should be extremely practical so as you will be able to quickly and effectively reorganize your life back to normal. 3. You must absolutely remember to not try to operate any of your electrical appliances! The television, vacuums as well as all your other appliances need to be checked first by a professional technician before you are able to actually pick out the ones you still might be able to use and keep. It is extremely dangerous to also try to operate any of your electrical appliances while standing on a wet carpet or floors because you might just end up electrocuting yourself in the process.4. Don’t Clean Anything. Never try to dry off your house or building interiors with a blower or any heat inducing gadget. Instead of doing any water damage restoration to your house, it will only bring about mildew as well as even more moisture damage to your house, so control yourself from thinking that this is a good water restoration tactic. For more tips on Water Mitigation, Fire Damage Restoration, Water Damage Restoration, or restoring a flooded basement, please visit our website at www.waterfirerestorationatlanta.com